It took almost two weeks by coach, but Jo and Beth finally arrived in California.
Jo had reserved rooms in a small, unique hotel that also offered tours to see the wildlife, including buffalo.
"Oh, Jo," Beth's voice shook with emotion when their tour group finally came across a herd of buffalo grazing on the fields.
Just as Beth had thought, the massive creatures were gentle and peaceful as they carried on with their business,
paying no attention to the humans staring at them from a distance.
"Is this what you imagined them to be like?" Jo whispered to Beth.
Nodding, Beth said teary eyed, "It's a dream come true. Thank you, Jo."
Putting her arm around Beth's thin, weak shoulders, Jo took in every detail around her, for she wanted to remember this moment forever.
After the argument with Laurie, Amy found it hard to find joy in anything, even drawing and painting.
Laurie came by once more to tell Aunt March and her that he was leaving for Spain and wished them the best on the rest of their trip.
"I think it's time for us to depart this place as well," Aunt March had said when Laurie left.
"Where shall we go?" Amy asked, not really caring since she knew Laurie would not be there.
"Florence," stated the old lady.
But as Amy stood outside on the balcony of their villa in Florence, she felt no inspiration to paint one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
All she could think about was Laurie.
On the way back home, Jo noticed that Beth seemed to struggle more with the strenuous journey.
She got tired easily, didn't have the energy even to look outside at the scenery, and mostly slept a lot.
When they got home, Beth, barely able to stand, clung tightly to Jo's arm and said, "This has been the best adventure of my life, Jo.
I'll never forget it." Jo clutched her hands tightly and pressed her lips to stifle an agonizing cry.
She would have collapsed into tears then and there if not for Mother's next words, "There's a letter for you, Jo. Actually two."
As Mother handed them over to her, Jo recognized the strong handwriting of the Professor.
After putting Beth to bed, Jo took the letters upstairs to her sanctuary.
As she read them, her spirits lifted. She even laughed as she imagined the Professor speaking aloud in his German accent and calling her "Cho."
Holding the letters close to her chest, Jo found the strength to bear the pain that was ahead.
A few months passed with no hope of Beth getting better.
Without strength to sit, Beth was confined to her bed, which was moved downstairs so she could look out into the street and garden.
"Jo, can you read me a story?" Beth would ask.
When Jo brought over a book, Beth would move her head from side to side and say, "Leave me alone."
Jo felt helpless, because she wanted to ease her sister's pain but didn't know how.
Mother seemed to deal better with the situation, bringing things for Beth just when she needed them and leaving her in peace when she wanted to rest.
Meg, who now knew that she was indeed carrying twins, also spent every day by Beth's side.
"Feel the babies kicking, Beth," Meg would say, placing Beth's limp hand over her growing stomach.
"I felt it, Meg," Beth would say, her eyes filling with tears.
"You're going to be an auntie soon, darling," Meg would remind her.
But Beth would only smile weakly and say, "I hope they're girls, and they're as beautiful as you."
One afternoon, Jo, not wanting to disturb Beth, crept over to refill the water pitcher on the table next to Beth's bed.
"Jo?" Beth called softly.
"Yes, darling? Did I wake you?" Jo asked.
Beth shook her head slightly as if to say no, then said, "Will you lie here with me?"
Jo carefully got into the bed next to her sister and wrapped her arm around her.
"I'm here, Beth. Do you want me to tell you a story?"
Beth blinked her eyes once and sighed. "Jo? I'm ready to go now."
Jo, not wanting to part with her sister yet, gently squeezed Beth's shoulders and said, "Hold on just a little longer, Beth.
Meg's babies are coming and Amy will be home soon.
Be strong for just a little longer . . ."
But Beth turned her head, looked at her sister tenderly, then closed her eyes, and died in Jo's arms.
When Beth's funeral was held a few days later, almost everyone from the town was there.
Although the family had sent a telegram to Amy about her sister's death, they urged her to stay with Aunt March for the rest of the trip,
because that was what Beth had wished.
At home the March family had to rebuild their lives after the loss of beloved Beth.
Mother, who had been so strong throughout Beth's illness, seemed to age decades in a matter of days afterward.
Still, she found comfort in the loving arms of her husband.
Both Mother and Father tried to give each other strength to cope with the loss of one of their children.
However, Jo was inconsolable. No amount of kind words or deeds could soothe the pain in her heart.
Every day she escaped into the woods, taking long walks by herself with her memories of her sweet sister.
A few weeks after Beth's death, Jo was just clearing up the dishes from dinner when John came running into the house.
"Please, come quickly," he said breathlessly. "Meg is having the babies!"
Mother, Father, Jo, and Hannah raced out, leaving the dishes and other worries behind.
When they got to the house, Dr. Bangs and a midwife were already there with Meg.
Mother went into the room with them while Jo, John, and Father paced the living room anxiously.
A few hours later, they heard a baby crying.
"Oh John!" Jo cried, holding onto her brother-in-law's hand. "Congratulations!"
Then shortly after, another cry erupted, and they could hear laughter and cries from behind the door.
"John?" Dr. Bangs called, opening the door.
"Come in and see your babies. Come, Mr. March. You too, Jo and Hannah."
Everyone crowded into the room where Meg sat up holding one baby in the crook of each arm.
"This is your new son," she said, looking at the bundle on her right, then pointed her chin toward the left, adding, "and your new daughter."
Everyone started hugging and crying as they welcomed the newest members of the family into the world.
Jo looked lovingly at her niece and nephew and realized for a sad moment that they would never see their Aunt Beth.
However, Jo promised to do what she could to help them get acquainted with the wonderful aunt who had died before their birth.
"What are you going to name them, Meg? John?" asked Father.
"Daisy and Demi," the happy parents said together.
"Welcome to your family," the new grandfather said proudly.